Correlates of Sibling Relationship Quality and Caregiving Reception of Adults with Disabilities

Siblings of individuals with disabilities report close relationships with and a greater likelihood of caregiving for their brothers and sisters with disabilities. However, most research has only relied on siblings without disabilities excluding individuals with disabilities. In this study, we sought to determine the correlates of close sibling relationships and the likelihood of caregiving as reported by individuals with disabilities. To this end, 106 individuals with disabilities responded to a web-based survey. With respect to the sibling relationship, participants who contacted their siblings more frequently and did not have mental health diagnoses were more likely to report closer sibling relationships. Regarding caregiving, participants who were in greater contact with their siblings, had fathers in excellent or good health, were male, and had more siblings were more likely to receive caregiving from their siblings. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.